Don't Let Dental Benefits Go to Waste: Use Them or Lose Them!

Your to-do list can pile up towards the end of the year. By then, you may feel like you do not have enough time to get things done. With all the rushing in your life, it is vital that you remember to use your dental benefits before they go to waste. They will not roll over to the new year. Read on to learn more.

Know What Your Dental Insurance Covers

Most people who have dental insurance do not know their coverage. They often assume they visit their dentist for an annual dental exam and go about their year. Most covers offer preventative dental cleanings and dental X-rays. Such benefits can be extensive, including fluoride treatments or dental sealants if you have children.

Lack of knowledge of your dental insurance coverage makes it go to waste. Schedule a dental appointment before the year ends to utilize some of the benefits you did not know existed.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

A dental checkup is preventative dental care. It is an effective way to ensure you make the most of your dental insurance benefits. Hence, seek dental care to keep your teeth healthier. Your dentist can catch signs of early gum disease and tooth decay, among other oral health issues that can worsen without treatment.

Flexible Savings Account

You can set up a flexible savings account through your employer. You choose the amount of money you want to put in it during open enrollment. A portion of the amount is deducted before tax from each paycheck.

A flexible savings account covers products or services that promote and maintain oral health. They include dental cleanings, dentures, braces for your dental health needs, and more. Most FSAs work like using a debit card. You can use the card to pay for dental and medical expenses. You can also buy products at your local drugstore using the card.

Use Them or Lose Them

Generally, you should use the FSA money by December 31. However, your employer can give you one option out of two to allow you more time to spend what you have left in your account. Some can let you carry over 500 dollars annually to the next year for your use. Others can give you two-and-a-half months as a grace period to use the remaining money in your FSA.

You will lose any money not spent, regardless of whether it is a grace period or the end of the year. Ideally, check with your FSA administrator or employer to know what your plan offers.

How to Make the Most Out of Your FSA

Careful planning can help you avoid putting more money than you can spend on your dental and health care treatment within one year. Talk to your dentist to know whether you need any procedures or treatments. You can use your FSA to pay for such treatments.

Most FSA accounts do not cater to dental cosmetic procedures like veneers or teeth whitening. Thus, contact your account administrator to get the eligible expenses so you can know what products and services you can get. Ensure you use your FSA dollars before your time runs out. 

For more about dental benefits, visit The Center of Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at our office in Destin, Panama City Beach, or Navarre, Florida. Call 850-810-0300, 850-810-0600, or 850-409-6400 to book an appointment today.